Oling_Roachinen, Backlund is still prone to mistakes but overall I really like his defensive game, though obviously it hasn't been as good as it was earlier this year or last season. It's frustrating because when I see Backlund he's positioning is really fantastic, he has great awareness and a very active stick, he always skates hard to get back on the defensive end. Those things I like and that's why I potentially see an elite defensive center in him. Now I do see what you see at times too though, a guy that does all those things then makes a bonehead mistake (or two or three in a stretch of games) that lead to goals against. But that's why I say potential because I'd like to see him close that gap.
On a game-to-game basis I do still think he's one of the Flames best defensive forwards still, Stajan has been lights out lately so I'll give him the nod currently... but maybe on the Flames that's not saying much.
Hartley has been hard on him, it's rare we've ever seen a player scratched because he's playing too much defense. A guy whose tough on rookies during a rebuild can be frustrating for fans but as we've seen with the Oilers maybe just giving them oodles and oodles of ice time isn't the way to make everyday quality NHL players.
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